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OPINION

Letters: Chambersburg 'celebrity'

Chambersburg Public Opinion
Published 7:48 a.m. ET Dec. 27, 2017

Sen. Rich Alloway is pictured with Libre at Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2017. Libre is a Boston terrier that was found neglected and near death in the summer of 2015 in Lancaster. He inspired an animal abuse law that was enacted this summer in Pennsylvania.(Photo: Courtesy)

Chambersburg 'celebrity'

I had no idea that Chambersburg had a celebrity in the person of Richard Lesher, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, from 1975 to 1996 (PO, Dec. 16, "Boosting American business.") He would not have known me, working for some 25 years in trade and professional associations for nearly the same period of time he was "Mr. Business" to hundreds of corporations and local chambers in America.

The U.S. Chamber also had an associations unit that worked hand in hand with the American Society of Association Executives, that was my professional group. In the good article by Jim Hook, Lesher says "he was proud that the Chamber did not have a scandal during his tenure," no mean achievement in a town like Washington, D.C. In Lesher's case, he had hundreds of "bosses" in his membership.

I picked up his new book, "Voice of Business," at the Chambersburg chamber office. Lesher was a high achiever from whom we all might learn a thing or two about succeeding in life and work. His personal story is as much one of accomplishment as is his Chamber career. Chambersburg can be pleased to have Richard Lesher as a neighbor.

Ron Keener, Chambersburg

Libre visits CVAS

On December 16th, Senator Rich Alloway and a very special dog, Libre, came to Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter for “Christmas for the Puppies.”

Libre is the Boston Terrier who was found at a Lancaster puppy mill on the brink of a horrible death. He had a severe case of mange, so couldn’t be sold. Instead, he was left to die — no food, no water, no treatment. His miraculous recovery was documented on Facebook by his rescuers, and by now he’s the most famous dog in Pennsylvania. He was an inspiration for lawmakers as they passed an anti-tethering, anti-cruelty bill; his paw print is actually on the bill, and it’s commonly known as “Libre’s Law.”

Senator Alloway is a strong advocate for animals; he and Libre attracted a huge crowd of animal lovers to the shelter, all of whom brought gifts of food and supplies for the animals. It was a wonderful event, and we’re so grateful to both the senator and Libre for thinking of our homeless animals at Christmas time. Libre seems to know that he’s a celebrity -- he has that adorable Boston Terrier head tilt down pat!

Thanks also to everyone who came to take pictures with Libre and visit our adoptable animals. The generosity of the people in Franklin County is amazing!

Nancy Gardner, Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter

Corporate welfare

Thank you to AT&T and Comcast for so quickly confirming the deceit of the administration and Congress in the "magic" of giving money to corporations.
Having been a small business owner for more than 30 years, I know the huge difference between a one-time bonus of $1,000 and an actual raise of $1,000 for both the employee and the employer. The president quickly pointed to how his plan resulted in "raises" as a result of corporate welfare, but all those employees will not be seeing that same raise when their small temporary tax cuts expire in 2027 (by that time how much money would a true $1,000 raise have netted them?). The net neutrality beneficiaries in the meantime get to try to improve their image with a small portion of the tax benefits received.
At the same time, the client-abusing Wells Fargo brags about raising their minimum wage to $15/hour, as if all the account managers who stole their clients' money were making minimum wage!
Let Rep. Shuster and Sen. Toomey know how much you appreciate having your children and grandchildren give them and all the big businessmen in the administration a "bonus" EVERY YEAR from now until we get real tax reform. Recall Sen. Toomey's recent remarks about the need to cut Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security since the government is receiving so much less revenue.Ernest Charlesworth, MD

Guilford Township

Inspiring speaker

We want to thank Marc Mero, former WWE Wrestling champion and author of “How to be the Happiest Person on the Planet,” for visiting the Greencastle-Antrim School District on December 11th.

Mr. Mero did a presentation for our sixth – 12th grade students titled “Champion of Choices.” The focus was on students making positive choices and achieving their highest potential, also discussing with them how to handle bullying inside the schools and cyber-bullying outside of school.

Mr. Mero’s “Time is Now!” Tour reaches students at a level and gives them tools and inspiration to face everyday challenges and view their life from a new perspective. Some of the benefits from his presentation teach students to have hope for a brighter tomorrow by discovering their life passion, setting goals, and becoming the champions they are destined to be.

As the founder of the nonprofit organization, Champion of Choices, Marc dedicates his life to helping others be the “champion” they are destined to be. The time is now! Get ready to be inspired!

A special “thank you” to Greg and Cherie Weaver of Antrim Way Honda for sponsoring Mr. Mero’s visit.